District reacts to changes in calamity days

March 18, 2014

In response to an especially harsh winter, the Ohio House and Senate approved House Bill 416 last week, which provides four additional calamity days for Ohio schools to use during the 2013-14 school year.

The legislation, initially sponsored by Representatives Tony Burkley (R-Paulding) and Brian Hill (R-Zanesville), will expand the number of allowable calamity days — days that do not need to be made up — provided the school first makes up four days from its previously approved contingency plan.

The bill also contains an emergency legislation clause that would allow it to go into effect immediately after Gov. Kasich signs it, which could happen this week.

“This winter has wreaked havoc on the school calendar, specifically due to the bitter-cold temperatures that persisted in December,” Ohio Senate President Keith Fraber (R-Celina) stated in a news release. “Our first priority is the safety of our children and expanding the number of calamity days will help our schools ensure that remains a top priority.”

For the full story, see the Tuesday, March 18 edition of the Wapakoneta Daily News.